an alternative to endless to-do lists✨
Loved the book “Make Time” by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky, it had a very practical take on productivity and was a highly engaging read. Here were some of my key takeaways:
📖 To-do lists are endless and don’t give a sense of satisfaction because they keep growing. Instead, try plan and setting a highlight for each day - an activity you focus on for approx. 90 minutes. This could be something related to work, personal learning, family, a creative project, chores - anything that needs to get done. Finishing this at the end of the day will give a true sense of accomplishment because you will have worked on a meaningful project rather than a blur of random items on a to-do list. The authors give many strategies for settling on the right highlight and the planning surrounding it.
📖 Social media, for example, forms an infinity pool of distraction that gives you something new to look at every time you refresh it mindlessly. Emails are also endless and just a way of responding to other people’s priorities. Delete or schedule allotted time to interact with things like this so you can remain focus on what truly matters, i.e., your highlight.
📖 The book also recognized the importance of staying energized by doing something active for just 20 minutes every day, optimizing caffeine, getting enough sleep, eating well and socializing with the ones close to you. These things which help the mind and body more broadly will ultimately help you remain focused and productive to complete your highlight each day.
Overall, an amazing read and something I have implemented in my own life in several ways! Let me know what you think 🥰
#lemon8diarychallenge #bookrecommendation #productivity #book
The book "Make Time" emphasizes a refreshing approach to productivity by encouraging readers to focus on a single, meaningful task each day, instead of drowning in endless to-do lists. This method, termed the "highlight", aims to provide a sense of accomplishment by concentrating on one goal or project each day for about 90 minutes. By doing so, you not only prioritize tasks that you care about but also enhance your overall satisfaction with your work. Additionally, the authors recognize the distractions posed by social media and emails, which often lead individuals to address other people's priorities instead of their own. One practical solution is to limit exposure to these distractions by scheduling specific times to engage with them, thus allowing for uninterrupted focus on personal goals. The importance of sustaining energy throughout the day is another key theme. Incorporating brief bursts of physical activity, optimizing caffeine intake, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a balanced diet are all emphasized as vital components for enhancing mental clarity and productivity. The text encourages readers to cultivate healthy habits to maximize focus and efficiency in completing their daily highlights. Overall, the insights from "Make Time" serve as an inspiring guide for anyone looking to reclaim their time and productivity, leading to a more meaningful and satisfying daily experience.
